Title: A Question of Etiquette Series
In the following order:
Examination
A Fine Understanding
A Fond Farewell
A Moment of Privacy
An Entertaining Start 
Continuing As We've Begun 
Exploration and Revelation
A Temporary Arrangement
Two for Joy
Rites of Passage
Author:Amy
Category: Snarry
Rating: PG to NC-17

Being gay is not easy, especially when you are a hero of the wizarding world and all eyes are on you, especially especially when there is a certain code to follow when you do not want to disgrace yourself publicly - a gay etiquette.

Who would be better to teach these rules to our young Harry than the only other gay person at the school - Severus Snape?

The gay etiquette is a wonderful invention for us readers for it leads to wonderfully worded conversation full of double meanings and innuendos, conversations that have several levels at once. It is very amusing to watch Harry trying to adapt to this kind of language, the way he often translates everything in his head to understand what's been said and the way he sometimes slips into 'crude' muggle language when things are important for him.

I loved the PG and R rated bits of the series for their humour and their wonderful Snape-Harry interaction. I did not enjoy the majority of the NC-17 parts. It's the twins' fault! Whenever they appear the refinded conversations and the sophisticated story drop to unfortunate level of vulgarity. The main characters fall out of their roles and the smutty bits are not sexy, but boring and tasteless in their presentation. My view ot the things might me coloured here, I openly admit that twincest and a menage à quatre (you can't really call it a foursome) is a bit too much for prudish me. But still. Strangely enough, evey time the twins left, the quality of the story rose, perhaps not to the level of the first four parts, but it rose none the less.

You may ask yourself why I review a story I have so many negative things to say about. I really loved the world Amy's story is set in. I loved these conversations between Snape and Harry, the double meanings, the way Snape speaks, I loved the characterisations, I loved the taste of tea and lemon.
I think in the later parts Amy became unfaithful to her own story, she tell a different tale with a different Harry and a different Snape in a very different tone. But perhaps you are of a different opinion here, perhaps I was too squicked to see the writing in an impartial way.

I'd like to ask those who have not yet read A question of Etiquette to go and read the story and to tell me what you think.

Maryx


guest-starring: aliciamasters

A Question of Etiquette is one of the stories for which I would take a sick day in order to read a new installment. I agree that the Snape/Harry moments are the defining moments of the fic, and each interaction between them is infused with such longing, that it redefines the story again and again. The escapades with the Twins, which would normally bother me, just reinforce the frustration and temptation that Harry and Snape feel with the constant presence of each other. They are simply pacifiers until the moment of real satisfaction.

My one worry is that Amy will get so frustrated with the length of the story that she will never reach the penultimate moment between Harry and Snape. Perhaps she should've set this in the middle of 7th year!


guest-starring: Nightjunkie

While I'd never read anything of Amy's before "A Question of Etiquette", I can definitely say that I'll be awaiting her updates from here on out.

Her stories draw me in because she somehow manages to beautifully mix a canon snarky Snape with a more tortured quiet figure who provides the background for many of Snapes....well, snarks.

As for the Twins, I love them. I'll admit, I'm not easily squicked. However, the scenes with them provide an understandable plot device on why in the world Snape would be willing to be so very, very patient.

Go now. Read. Bookmark.

Title: In Blood Only
Author: E.M. Snape
Category: Severitus
Rating: R
Summary: Snape is Harry's father. No one is happy to hear it.

Oh, I took guilty pleasure in reading this fic.
Just in case there is still someone who hasn't heard about it, let me say loud and clearly that "In Blood Only" is this very unique Severitus fic which turns the entire "Snape is Harry's father" idea upside down. Oh, he is Harry's father, all right, but while in all other fics the two of them eventually reach an understanding, here we are 39 chapters into the story and they only recently learnt how to merely tolerate each other. Not that they always succeed, mind.
Snape is an utter bastard, which usually makes me grin in delight. This time, however, I found myself yearning to slap him more than once. Hard. And then slap the (furious/brooding/ignorant/cheeky) brat Harry as well, for good measure.
I'm also willing to bet that it's not an uncommon reaction. I'm open to discussions :).  
Morrighan

Title: Penance is the Play
Author: maeglinyedi
Category: Snarry
Rating: NC-17
Summary: Harry wants revenge. Harry has a plan. But is Harry Slytherin enough to avoid his own trap?

If you're not in the mood for too much sex, don't read this fic. However, I'd like to point out that in this case, you miss an incredibly delightful bastard Snape, neverending rounds of banter between him and Harry, and most satisfying lessons: not only the usual in defence, potions or Occlumency, but also the brilliant lessons in control (or unofficially: throwing insults at each other).
Additionally, I  must admit that the epilogue of this fic was probably the first epilogue in history to throw me completely off balance and make a chill run down my spine when I was least expecting it.
I’m leaving the decision to you. There is plenty of sex in Maeglin's fics and this one is not an exception. Just don't tell me I didn't warn you.  As for me, I’m sure I’ll be re-reading this story in the near future.
Morrighan

Title: Price of Magic
Author: ac1d6urn
Rating: R
Category: future HP/SS
Summary: Haunted by ghost of a former student, an ex-wizard struggles to preserve magical knowledge for future generations.

Reading stories featuring Snape and/or Harry as devotedly as I do, I honestly didn't believe there was anything that could still surprise me. Until today.
The first thing that came to my mind when I read Acid's work is that it's so much like dark chocolate: sophisticated, rich and probably too 'heavy' for those who appreciate only the lighter kind. The story is masterfully written, filled with sarcasm, has perfect characterization and doesn't lack humour. Dark humour at that.
That alone would be enough for me to start worshipping the author. And here, it's not even a proper beginning:
There is Harry, so much in character considering the, well... circumstances; there are words which make me gasp (“I pulled you out of a nightmare.”); very disturbing images and thoughts; there is the astounding way in which Acid captures the true essence of the wizarding war:
"How naïve we all were to stick a wand in a seventeen-year-old hand and point out the enemy. Here is the bad man, go, kill, avenge your parents, be a hero. Did anyone truly believe in the success of that particular ‘brilliant’ military scheme?"
Indeed, did they?

Morrighan

Here is Acid's illustration to the story: Waterloo Bridge (Talk about talent...) But reccing her art is another matter entirely.

Title: Primer to the Dark Arts
Author: icarusancalion
Rating: R
Category: Snarry
Summary: Harry learns he is to be given private (and secret) tutoring in the Dark Arts to protect himself next time he meets Voldemort. His teacher? Professor Snape. Features ghost cats and cursed harps, spells that are supposed to go wrong and don't, a friendly sociopathic Death Eater... and Snape's very naughty, naughty library.

I realize that I am supposed to recommend relatively new and unknown stories, and I seriously doubt there are still any self-respecting Snarry readers who don't know 'Primer to the Dark Arts', so I hope that my fellow conspirators won't kill me for this post. But how am I supposed to ignore this story when I follow every step Icarus takes in the world of fiction like a lovesick puppy? And the author has 'Primer' to blame for that.
Together with its companion pieces ('A Moment of Sin' being my favourite), ‘Primer’ is the mastery of language, plot and characterization, with perfect balance between different features as its strongest point. The said balance - between heaviness of the Dark Arts and lightness of humour, the gentleness of friendship and bitterness of disappointment, the wonderful, slow pace of the story and the craving for more when it ends - is what makes this story special to me and lets me come back to the author's site every couple of weeks. See it for yourself. Beware of the addicting qualities.
Morrighan

Title: The Master Plan
Author: StarryGazer
Rating: R
Type: Snarry
Summary: In Harry Potter's sixth year at Hogwarts, he goes looking for a way to survive the war with Voldemort. What he finds is a reason. Severus Snape isn't hopeful he'll survive the war; all he's looking to do is save Harry once and for all--from his own stupidity if nothing else. What he finds is redemption. And a little laughter and hope along the way. Complete

At the beginning I had doubts about reviewing this story, as it’s much lighter than the fics I usually read, but after taking a second look at ‘The Master Plan’, I decided that lightness is precisely what makes this piece so alluring. Here we’ve got 41 chapters of an enjoyable read, nice language and pure humour. But if I were to name one thing that I especially like about this fic, it would be the amazing break from the sad, serious and brooding Harry which this story provides. StarryGazer’s Harry is cheeky, funny and shrewd, even though he sometimes keeps being as oblivious as only Harry can be. This, together with the interactions between Gryffindors, the trio’s epithets for Snape and Snape’s idea of writing lines in detention, provides the mixture that keeps me grinning from the beginning of the story to the very end.
Morrighan

Title: Sunrises (and sequel: Happily Ever After)
Author: Juliatheyounger
Rating: NC17
Category: Snarry
Summary: Harry’s eighteen, he’s just destroyed Voldemort and saved the world and now he’s returning to Hogwart’s, this time as the new Assistant Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher. Unfortunately he’s still not quite over the events of the summer and, stuck at Hogwarts without his friends, with a Professor who seems to resent Harry for breathing, a developing awareness of his horny eighteen year old sexuality and some rather disturbing nightmares, Harry’s not feeling the best.

Not only is this story written in particularly good language, it also includes several concepts that make me unable to look away. There is my favourite post-Hogwarts Harry, nicely developed, mature and believable; there is the ever wonderful Master-Apprentice bond, described with great attention to details; and something which I’m always waiting for in fics: absolutely fantastic Snape, whom Julia manages to fit in a (dare I say it?) peaceful relationship without loosing his sarcastic self somewhere on the way. In my humble opinion that’s quite an achievement.
Morrighan

Title: In Between Days
Author: Atrata
Rating: PG - NC17, depending on the chapter.
Category: Slash
Summary: What I Did On My Summer Vacation, by ClinicallyDepressed!Harry and AmbiguouslyTrustworthy!Severus.

 What drew me to this story was someone’s promise that I wouldn’t be disappointed with Snape’s charming personality. And I wasn’t.
If you’re looking for a cute, fluffy story, with a pink bunny Snape, this most certainly *isn’t* it. We’ve got a 100% snappish, snarling bastard of a Potions Master here. In his calm, composed, Potter-I-don't-care-about-your-idiot-self way. All in all, excellent read.
Morrighan

guest-starring: ac1d6urn

As a general rule, when I’m searching for the stories to read in this fandom I choose the HP/SS relationship dynamic where Harry has the upper hand. It’s only fair. Snape bullied the poor kid around for years and when Harry finally grows up there’s this power shift from one character to the other that makes it so interesting to read . . . and so on. One can write pages and pages analysing it.
But.
Atrata’s In Between Days has no such power shift. It’s all about Snape. His power, his presence, his control: complete control over Harry but also the harshly-maintained control of his own actions. Through it all, he remains a teacher: a brilliant and terrifying mentor and a morally ambiguous bastard that you wouldn’t trust for a second. And, maybe, just maybe, that is the only possible method to teach Harry what he needs to know.
I was captivated by the mind games and the moral ambiguity of this story. You cannot trust Snape, you shouldn’t trust him, but just like Harry you’ll find yourself seduced by him anyway. Prepare yourself. With Atrata’s Snape nothing is as it seems.


guest-starring: nihilnemo

The story is magical - it sucks you in, traps you there till the last word of the last chapter. After reading it, I couldn't sleep at night. Why? Because I felt betrayed, like Harry was in this ff. I felt sick, because I knew that would happen and didn't stop reading earlier. But the most suprising thing, is that Harry felt better than I do.
It's like with JKR - she plays with your mind and Harry's life, she uses him and you. But her Harry almost never complains and is so believing and forgiving. But why should he forgive and forget? Why be betrayed, over and over again by the same people?
Of course we forgive JKR everthing, just like we justify Atrata's playing with our mind. Why? Because both are excellent pieces of writing that you will never forget!

Title: The Boy Who Lived A Bit
Author: Barbarella
Rating: PG - NC17
Category: Snarry
Summary: Post-Hogwarts, though the War still rages. Harry is holed up at 12 Grimmauld Place with Lupin as his primary protector. Some of the best distractions in these days are provided by one Severus Snape.

While the author confesses it’s her first  attempt at Snarry, slash and fanfic, the story seems to contradict every single word of it. The writing style is developed magnificently, the characterization is faultless and everything reads incredibly smoothly. I especially liked the relationship between Harry and Snape, how they balance between their old feelings, Order business and their new situation. And the moment of Snape’s protectiveness before the battle made me want to kiss the author to death.     
Morrighan

"The Boy Who Lived A Bit" is an extremely good story. I find myself laughing aloud at least once a chapter (more often I'm laughing the entire chapter) and her characterizations are fabulous. She manages to keep Harry a teenager, while at the same time making him a mature young man. I love how it starts as Harry being a typical teenager and experimenting with kissing another male. Fortunately, that male happens to be Severus. The POV switches by chapter between Severus and Harry. This method is quite effective and she does an excellent job of switching between the two voices. The sex scenes are always hot and often absolutely beautiful. The gradual move from just having sex to having much more is excellently written. Barbarella adds just enough angst for it to remain believable, but does not over-do it like so many writers tend to do. I didn't feel bogged down by it at all. I'm sure I have more to say, but at the moment I've got class. Cheers! Nessime

Title: Nocturne

Author: Tira Nog

Rating: NC-17

Category: Snarry

Summary: Auror Harry Potter learns a startling secret about his former potions teacher. 

This story features Vampire!Snape, which I am not usually a very big fan of, but seeing that Tira was the author, I set aside my prejudices and I haven't regretted it for a moment. 

If you have read any other fics by Tira (such as 'A Nick In Time' and 'Growing Pains') and enjoyed her characterizations, then you will most certainly enjoy the characterizations in Nocturne.  Her Harry is lovable, powerful, and incredibly flawed with demons that he has to wrestle with including his own conscience and the ever constant choice between what is right and what is easy.  Her Severus is controlled, damaged, bitter, and yet gentle.

This story explores the idea that Vampires are some of the most feared creatures in the wizarding world and if they are captured by the aurors they are immediately turned over to a unit within the Ministry to be exterminated.  What will Harry's choice be when he encounters a Severus Snape who is one of the few Vampires that is innocent of the crimes that he is accused of?  What will happen when Harry, conditioned to believe that Vampires are terrible creatures, discovers that Snape is starving himself to death in lieu of feeding?  How do the two of them deal with the intense (and mostly deserved) prejudices of the wizarding world?  I'm certain that you can guess the answers to these questions, but they way that Tira goes about presenting the answers is no less than enchanting.  The sexual scenes are absolutely beautiful in their intensity and the gradual fall from a mutually beneficial arrangement to something far deeper is wonderful to read.

Nocturne is quite long, a little less than 100,000 words in all, but worth every bit of time it takes to read. 

Not much left to be added here, so I’ll be short:
There are only two vampire fics that I found truly stunning so far, and 'Nocturne' is definitely one of them. It’s soft like cotton, sensual like silk, gentle, descriptive, heart wrenching and lovely, so very lovely. I could leave a page long review here and still wouldn’t give this piece of art all the credit it deserves. So let me just say that every single chapter of 'Nocturne' left me trembling and lightheaded like very few things in life can. See for yourself.
Morrighan

Title: Conduits of Sorcery
Author: Penumbra
Rating: NC-17
Category: Snarry
Summary: It's a Triwizard Tournament year and Harry returns to Hogwarts as one of the Tournament organisers. His quiet year turns to something quite different when Lucius Malfoy shows sudden interest in wizarding sports. Post-Hogwarts SS/HP. Complete.

 This, ladies and gentlemen, is a masterpiece. The language is simply exquisite, I fell in love with it from the first line. The story is well crafted, the characters amazingly developed, and Severus *deep breath* is pure intensity.
This fic is everything: it’s harsh, it’s sweet, it’s devilish, it’s romantic, it’s witty, it’s breathtaking, it’s intense, it... yeah, it probably makes the last shreds of my sanity go away...
Morrighan

I too very much enjoyed Conduits of Sorcery.  Penumbra's characterizations are incredibly realistic and her plot is one of the best that I've seen in post-Hogwarts fanfiction.  There is plenty of mystery and action while maintaining an interesting romance.  Penumbra's use of humor is especially effective, bringing to mind J.K. Rowling's use of humor in the books which is quite rare in fan fiction.  I really liked the progression that the relationship between Harry and Severus took and the tension (sexual and otherwise) between them.  An excellent read with a great plot.

Cheers!  Nessime